Synthesis and Characterizations of Composite Material from aClay Incorporated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)Researcher:-Tesfay

Abstract

Management of solid waste is an important problem in today’s world. People pursue higherquality of life as a result of economic growth and development. Plastics have become an integralpart of our lives. Its low density, strength, user- friendly design and fabrication capabilities,and low cost are the drivers to such growth. Hence, we indicate the management of solidwaste and producing new materials from spring water bottle, which can be used for variousapplications. The recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is a major postconsumercontributor of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), could be used to produce a newdielectric material by incorporated with Na+ Montmorillonite clay. After collecting the PETsamples from the MSW the recycling of PET would be started. The recycled PET is to be used asthe matrix to manufacture the nanocomposites. In this Project Montmorillonite Nano-clays isused as fillers in different weight ratios by melt compounding method by using injection moldingmachine. The resultant melt compounded PET nanocomposites (available in the form of Pellets),which are to be tested for their mechanical, morphological and electrical properties as perASTM standard specimen. It is found that material properties such tensile, flexural dielectricstrength, dielectric constant and volume resistivity are improved at 4% clay loading. Further, itis noticed materials such as impact strength and hardness are improved at 6% clay loading.